How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Termite Control Service?

This treatment is used for average activity and involves creating trenches or drilling holes around the exterior of a home. Liquid chemicals are then poured into the holes or trenches. Chemical extermination can also involve the spraying of baseboards and basement foundations in homes without small children or pets. Treatments will continue until there is no more activity and the colonies are eliminated.

Bait Extermination

This treatment is used for houses that are located in humid climates or near large areas of water. The process involves drilling holes around the exterior of a home and placing bait in the holes. This form of treatment costs more than chemical extermination because the goal is to both eliminate the termite colony and prevent the return of the termites. Bait extermination will require routine inspections to ensure that all termite activity is controlled.

Fumigation Extermination

This is a more aggressive form of extermination that is used when there is termite activity throughout the entire house. The technique is performed by pumping lethal gas into the home while the house is normally enclosed in a tent. The process takes several hours, and the homeowners are told to remain out of the house for five days. The treatment includes any attachments to the home such as a patio or garage.

Heat Extermination

This form of termite control is more environmentally friendly because there are no chemicals used. Also, this form of treatment can be used for the entire house or for localized activity areas such as a dining room, basement or attic. During the heat process, the house is enclosed in a tent to allow for the effective level of heat to rise inside the home. Hot air is forced into the home until the inside temperature reaches 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The home's structural wood must reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate termite colonies and activity. The procedure normally takes about eight hours, and it is safe for homeowners to return that evening after the inside temperature returns to normal.

Additional Termite Control Service Considerations

All new construction must pass a termite inspection as a protection for the first property owner. Most termite control companies offer a free initial termite inspection for current property owners. The basic areas involved in the inspection include a home's exterior around the foundation and the surrounding grounds for actual termites or their tunnels, called tubes, where a colony could be living. They also check all crawl spaces and the basement, especially the overhead timber. There�s also the home's interior, which involves inspection of floors, windows, inside cabinets and closets, behind appliances, door frames and in the corners of the rooms. There�s also the attic, as the highest area of a home does not reduce the risk of termite infestation or damage.

Any selected plan will be based on the amount of termite activity in and around a home. Most termite activity begins years before homeowners become aware of the problem. Anyone who is concerned about potential infestation can have a home inspection performed at routine intervals. A homeowner who does not currently have a termite problem can help reduce potential expensive treatment plans in the future by purchasing a termite insurance protection plan. The majority of homeowner insurance policies do not cover infestations or damage caused by termites, so homeowners will need to specifically seek one out. Protection plans routinely involve an annual fee that includes scheduled termite treatments throughout the year where termite activity has been detected, the installation of bait to deter termites and an annual re-inspection of the initial termite examination areas.

Before anyone signs on the bottom line for a treatment service, it is recommended that the homeowner get free inspections and estimates from several pest control companies. In addition to the cost of the plan, the written estimate needs to list:

• Type of problem
• Method of treatment
• Number of treatments and frequency
• Chemicals to be used
• Any warnings or precautions
• What warranties are provided and their length

Homeowners are encouraged to check if a company is under consideration for any problems or complaints registered. A homeowner will want to know how long a company has been in business, the level of experience the technicians have and if the employees are bonded.

Termite infestation is a problem that must be dealt with as soon as possible, but with a bit of research, every homeowner will be able to feel secure that the termite control service they purchase is the best one for a particular problem at the best price.